Query: Independent Cascadia?

I would say yes.

Because the US and UK could come to a deadlock about Oregon County and they decide it could be a buffer state.
 
Pre 1900

Possible as a compromise in 1840s between the British and US. Also dependent on a larger presence of Russian and Spanish/Mexican populations on the west coast.

It would need a POD as early as if not before 1800.

After 1900

Limited nuclear exchange between US and USSR in 1950s or 60s devastates Eastern seaboard and Mid-West. Cascadia emerges as a successor state.
 

Glen

Moderator
I would suggest that any POD sees the extension of the Co-Dominion in the Oregon Country greater than OTL. Leave it in place long enough, and the Oregonians may come to see themselves as a people apart from both the US and Canada (perhaps helped by some advantages economically to their co-dominion status - think Puerto Rico and it's protectorate status vis-a-vie taxes).

You would want a timeline where the US still has a war with Mexico and gains California - once that happens the pressure to gain Oregon is much diminished as the US has a corridor to the Pacific, though this then makes the whole of the Oregon joining Canada more plausible as the US won't necessarily fight that as much, especially during the almost inevitable ACW. Hmmm, slightly accelerated/different formation of Canada, or even no formation of Canada (independent responsible government for the main provinces of OTL Canada) without any guarantees from the British for a transcontinental railway to the Pacific for Canada would also help keep Oregon more likely separate from Canada.

Now the real question is what do do with Alaska<evil grin>.
 
An independent Oregon/Columbia... see other responses.

Whether they would call it Cascadia is a tougher question. I believe it was Lewis and Clark who named the Cascades, or maybe it was some later furtrappers. But, the term "Cascadia" as a region sounds very twentieth century.
 
An independent Oregon/Columbia... see other responses.

Whether they would call it Cascadia is a tougher question. I believe it was Lewis and Clark who named the Cascades, or maybe it was some later furtrappers. But, the term "Cascadia" as a region sounds very twentieth century.
Yes, but it could be used as a compromise name for the nation.
 

DISSIDENT

Banned
Back in the 1800s it was assumed Anglo-American settlement would occur there but they would become their own independent republics, or as Jefferson referred to the predicted states "Pacific Republics".

I guess maybe have the US not win as big against Mexico and allow the codominium with Britain continue or have Astor claim Oregon for Britain then have the settlers kick the British out and form their own nation there.

With a POD that far back, maybe Cascacia won't be quite as liberal or left leaning as Oregon and Washington are in OTL.
 
First, give the Brits all Oregon. Pick your reason, a weak US, early civil war, for some reason they need to sell it, etc. Butterflies see that William Seward is off doing something different, and the US never buys Alaska. Come Crimea, the Brits and western *Canadians grab on and don't let go. Let's say early Yukon gold, get some more people spread all along the upper west coast earlier. With a stronger and more heavily populated west with an even more unique character, it's "Nuts to your Confederation!" and eventually newly formed Canada and Columbia split Rupert's Land between them. For a vigorous young country with a vigorous young leader, Prime Minister C. Alan Arthur, the future is bright!

What's that? A shitty visual aid, you say?
302vrr4.png


There we have it. Obviously, the US wouldn't have such OTL-esque borders, and the Columbia/Canada border would likely not hew so close to OTL's provincial borders. Nevertheless.

I kinda like this. Sticking a bookmark in this idea for later.
 
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Another pre-1900 option is to have a delayed, worse, ACW which sees the West break away from the feuding North & South... though that would be less 'Cascadia' and more 'Pacifica.'
 
Wasn't Oregon a self-governing territory before it officially became part of the U.S.? Or was that whole Wiki article bullshit?

If the former, I could imagine Oregon becoming independent as a compromise between the U.S. and British -- presumably, as long as it is made to be open to American settlers and British traders.
 
So how do we get this "Screw the Government in the East" sentiment and will it have ramifications for Utah?
 
During the Civil War their was some sentiment and talk about seceding in Oregon (which would likely end up with Washington joining), it only died down after a major campaign to paint the secessionists as pro-slavery.

So if the idea is more popular and people don't listen to the propoganda then their's a chance it could break away during the Civil War.


Whether they would call it Cascadia is a tougher question. I believe it was Lewis and Clark who named the Cascades, or maybe it was some later furtrappers. But, the term "Cascadia" as a region sounds very twentieth century.

Yes, but it could be used as a compromise name for the nation.

The term 'Cascadia' was only popularised in the early 1900's to refer to the region geographically, while it would'nt be until the 1980's that the term began to be used to refer to the region as a sociopolitical region

Essentially while it's possible you could get the region named Cascadia in such a scenario after 1820, it's very unlikely, as their were other more popular names, and the Cascades themselves are only present in part of the overall Oregon Country.
 
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